Dempster just wants to work

With a straight face, Ryan Dempster said before Tuesday's game he expected to be in every save situation.

But Dempster was just being Dempster, since he already has been informed by manager Lou Piniella that Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol would also be closing games for the time being.

"Nobody said [closer by] committee," Piniella said. "I spoke to Ryan, and we have our understanding."

And just what is that understanding?

"I told him we'd use him in different roles, depending on whether he can get work or not," Piniella said.

In other words, it's not a closer-by-committee, but it works the same way. Dempster understands Piniella wants him to get more work, and he hasn't had enough save opportunities to pitch regularly, which led to the new philosophy.

Dempster said he has no problem with Piniella's decision.

"Check your egos at the door," Dempster said. "We're a game and a half out of first-place. We're going to go out there and win some ballgames."

New kids in town

The Cubs called up left-hander Carmen Pignatiello and outfielder Jake Fox from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, sending down Sean Gallagher and Eric Patterson.

Pignatiello is the 18th call-up who has spent time at Iowa or Double-A Tennessee, not including rehabbing players.

"We're trying to maximize the opportunities that present themselves," Piniella said. "The teams we're going to be playing have a lot of left-hand pitching, so we brought Fox up to help us in that regard, hopefully. And at the same time, the Cardinals and Cincinnati have a lot of left-handed hitting, and we brought up Pignatiello to help us there."

Pignatiello, from Providence High School in New Lenox, was 1-0 with a 2.72 earned-run average, with 41 strikeouts and 13 walks in 46 1/3 innings.

"I grew up a Cubs fan, and to make my debut here at Wrigley is an unbelievable feeling," he said.

Fox, who is making his second stint with the Cubs, hit three home runs in a game last week, and is hitting .328 at Iowa with five homers and 13 RBIs.

Extra innings

Cliff Floyd's return date is unknown. The Cubs will give him all the time he needs to take care of things following his father's death Sunday.

"He and his dad were close, so it's been a tough couple of months for him," Derrek Lee said. "He's done a great job of staying professional here at the stadium." ...

The Cubs have until 11 p.m. Wednesday night to sign first-round draft pick Josh Vitters or lose his rights.